However, Jesus also said in Luke 20:25, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s." We do have responsibilities both to God and government, and I think we should vote. Romans 13:1 says, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2 says that we are to pray for all who are in authority. We are in a unique situation compared to the biblical era. Citizens get to participate in the selection of our President. This year, each candidate that has any chance of election has serious flaws in their moral character, especially from a Christian point of view. Therefore, quite a number of Christians will not vote for a President. I do believe that you should not violate your conscience (Acts 24:16; Rom. 14:21; 1 Cor. 10:25). However, we are not voting for a pastor or deacon, which offices require high moral character (1 Tim. 3). We are electing the most important secular authority in the USA. Is it wrong to compare the candidates and choose whichever one is the least flawed morally, and has policy positions that are most in line with biblical principles? God used Samson in spite of his moral flaws because in His sovereign will it was time to deliver Israel from their enemies. In Isa. 44:28 God said of the Persian King Cyrus, “He is My shepherd, and he shall perform all My pleasure….” I doubt Cyrus was of upstanding moral character, yet God raised him up to a position of great political and economic power to accomplish His purposes (restoring Jerusalem and the temple, etc.). Jesus spoke of two primary characteristics of the devil in John 8:44. He is a liar and murderer. Which candidate speaks the most lies and promotes policies that lead to the deaths of innocent lives (abortion, etc.)? Which candidate will nominate Supreme Court justices that view the Constitution as a binding authority and which will nominate those who believe in moral relativism and who will not allow the constitutional text to interfere with their judicial activism? Which candidate will most protect religious liberty and the right of conscience? Which candidate is more likely to stop or limit the genocide of Christians at the hands of ISIS? Which candidate supports policies that are in line with the biblical concepts of self-defense (Luke 22:36) and property rights (Ex. 20:15; Dt. 24:10-11; Acts 5:4)? These are some of the questions that will guide my vote. I hope that a strong majority of Christians will go to the polls and vote. Yet I submit the outcome to the sovereign will of God to accomplish His purposes! I pray that His purpose is to preserve America as a force for good in our world.